Top issues to watch in 2014: Sarasota County Commission 2014 elections

Two long-serving county commissioners will vacate their seats in 2014, opening the door for a pair of newcomers to join the five-person board.

County Commissioners Joe Barbetta (District 2) and Nora Patterson (District 4) will not run for re-election when their terms expire Nov. 4. Newly reinstated term limits prevent either of them from running again, although both have said they planned on retiring from elected office.

Going into 2014, the campaigns for both empty seats have already taken shape.

Al Maio, vice president of design consulting firm Kimley-Horn and Associates, will face Lourdes Ramirez, president of the Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA), for Patterson’s seat. They are both Republicans. 

Two other Republicans will run for Barbetta’s seat. Local restaurateur and current Sarasota City Commissioner Paul Caragiulo will square off against retired acupuncturist Pete Theisen.

Barbetta endorsed Caragiulo in August, citing the city commissioner’s hardworking, unflinching nature — qualities he feels they share.

“Hopefully I’ll look back on my two terms and see that’s what I’ve done,” Barbetta said. “(That I was) not afraid to tackle an issue, maybe a little too outspoken at times, but all based on, ‘How do we stay on the cutting edge and make this a better county?’”

The campaigns will likely focus on differing visions for the county’s fiscal policies and debates about how to smartly manage development in the post-recession economy.

Barbetta, 67, said he doesn’t intend to run for any other elected office when his commission term is up, though he said he’ll stay involved and active in city and county affairs.

Patterson, 67, is the longest-serving member of the Sarasota County Commission. She served two terms as a city commissioner before being elected to the County Commission in 1998. She said she will also likely remain involved in area politics, but is looking forward to a reduced workload and a less demanding schedule in retirement.

The three remaining county commissioners will face re-election in 2016.

Overview: Two longtime Sarasota County commissioners retire in November, opening the door for a pair of newcomers to join the board.

Players: Joe Barbetta, Nora Patterson, Paul Caragiulo, Pete Theisen, Al Maio, Lourdes Ramirez

Timeline: Election scheduled for Nov. 4

Contact Nolan Peterson at [email protected]